The Republican journal., 1887-01-20
A Visit to the National Capitol.
Correspondence of the Journal.


When a school boy was passionately fond
Of United States history, and would sit for
hours looking at the picture of the Capitol of
our country. How grand it must look, |
thought. when seen in reality. The noble face
of Washington also attracted me, as did those
of Adams, Jefferson and Madison the first
four Presidents. did not then even dream of
visiting the seat of government. But "lfe
bears us on like the stream of a mighty river"
and one November night, in the year of 1854. |
found myself in the city of Washington. \
glimpse of the dome of the Capitol and of the
Washington monument on the way to the hotel
sent my memory back to the past, to the war
for the Union, the abolition of slavery, the
great part the Republican party played in the
national tragedy, to Abraham Lincoln whose
name and fame will never die.
After supper l Strolled down Pennsylvania
avenue. as eager for Il good look at the Capitol
was Mark Twain to see the Cathedral at
Milan. Soon l beheld the mighty building.
How grand, how beautiful it looked in the soft
moonlight, with the lofty dome floating lightly
above the massive marble structure. Here the
eloqucnce of our great men has been heard,
and the ,lc>tinieS of the nation shaped. The
next day was mainly devoted to sightseeing
within the Capitol. On my way. the marble
monument at the entrance of the park erected
by officers of the army and navy in honor of
the soldiers and sailors who fell in defence of
the Union attracted attention. AS | entered
:
er as she pointed upward. "Oh. what bootiful
pictures. | could loot at 'em all day. Here
are paintings by noted artists that appeal to
every patriotic American. As | look at the
''Sgning of the Declaration of independence"
| say to myself: All honor to our forefathers
who fought the battles of the Revolution that
we might be free and independent Among the
other paintings are the "Surrender of Bur-
goyne;" surrender of Cornwalis" and 1.-The
Landing of Columbus
When stood within the walls of the Senate
chamber | thought of the great men who had
spoken here, and in the old Senate chamber
now occupied by the supreme Court-Web-
ster. Clay, Calhoun and Sumner, with many
Others known to fame-and it was with pride
| remembered they were Americans and l..
too. ii son of freedom. Next visited the Hall
of Representatives, which is similar in style to
the Senate Chamber but larger. On the wall
east of the Speakers chair is a full length por-
trait of Washington, and on the opposite side
portrait of I.afavette. The House was not in
session and while was seated at Congressman
Dingey'S desk for moments rest Il venerable
looking mana resident of Washington as |
afterward learncd-came up and bowling po-
litey said: This i; the seat Congressman
Dingey occupies is it not: | replied in the
affirmative. ''Wcll. Dingley is a noble man, y
said the stranger. That is what the people say
of him in Maine, remarked. "Are you from
that State'' was the prompt enquiry. Yes
sir, said. swell. young man | can say to you
that Mr.. Dingey is one of the hardest workers
in Congress and about the only strictly temper
ate man in the House." "Can it be true there
are so many incorporate men in Congress-, |
enqtlired. ''Ah," said the other, IF you
should spend winter at this gay capitol you
would soon learn that nearly all our Congress
men imbibe,' and much more was said to the
same effect
Leaving the Hall l next visited the Hall of
Statuary, where the House sat before the en-
1nr,r n of fol sto 4
many of our great men. The marble figure Of
Ethan Allen recalled the boyhood days when
| used to read of this grand old hero of the
Revolution. 81 demand the surrender of Fort
Ticonderoga in the name of the Great Jehovah
and the Continental Congress- is a SAYING not
easily forgotten. Now rc-entering the rotunda
! come to the stairway and ascend to the dome.
The City of Magnificent Distances is spread
out beneath and around me. Following Penn
sylvania avenue westward the White House is
seen, and south of it the Washington monl-
ment. Near by is the famous Long Bridge.
beyond is Arlington and farther south is his
torc Alexandria. With this grand view closed
my first days sightseeing.
Later visited the White House National
Museum, Treasury Department, Smithsonian
Institute, Washington Monument and other
prominent places, finding everywhere enter
tainment and instruction. After five days so
journ in this beautiful city, where the sessions
of Congress call together the wealth, beauty and
intellect of the republic, took my grip" and
started for the train that was to carry me to the
Land of Flowers. +. W. GOWEN.
While the remarks of the resident of Wash.
ington concerning the habits of Congressman
are no doubt true as to the past, there has been
a very noticeable change for the better of late
years. The special Washington correspondent
of The Voice, the leading Prohibition paper in